Gratitude Photography Project 2014

Gratitude Photography Project 2014

The day was set aside for a hike with a friend. Not just any hike. This day called for Roxborough Park, an absolute gem of a Colorado State Park. We were ready to be out on the trail after our recent snowstorm. To hike, converse, and hear the calls of nature’s dwellers and marvel at God's handiwork are gifts for the soul. There is something about the contrast of snow, vivid greens of new leaves and grass and bluebird blue skies that is just so beautiful. This was my first visit to this wonderful park and I was extremely thankful.

In this image we were on the last leg of a hike and this part of the trail was certainly sloppy with mud.This felt really good and almost childlike. We weren’t concerned with getting our boots clean; we just were enjoying the trail and the scenery. The now of this beautiful day of scenery and conversation demanded full attention.

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”~ John Muir
Peace.

May 13, This is the second part from May 12

Due to our change of plans about dinner we departed the restaurant much earlier than expected and learned that an event in nature was occurring just across the street. This was a bit of exciting news. With our impending snow storm that was due to arrive that night, a beehive had formed in a matter of hours. The bees, in their unrelenting quest to protect the queen, had arrived and built their hive of bees around her on some branches in a tree. It is truly amazing how the animal kingdom senses and prepares for changing weather.

The restaurant had called a beekeeper to transport the bees to a safer location. We met the keeper, a calm young man, who informed us this was his first assignment. He slowly put on his gear and gathered his equipment and headed to the hive. Since the bees were almost dormant due to the weather we could see up close just how amazing this was. There was bee on top of bee providing warmth and protection to the queen. We watched the keeper take his time and study the possibilities. In about 20 minutes he had removed the hive from the branches and slowly placed it in his box for transport. There were about three dozen that swarmed, but he waited for them too to join the rest in the box because he wanted to save as many bees as he could.

This was an exciting event for us to witness. Although Bobby had watched a hive removed from his backyard as a child, this was my first experience. We were impressed with the keeper’s calmness and attention to detail. We were grateful these bees were safe from the hazards of the night’s storm. And extremely thankful to be a witness and not inside eating after all.

"One can no more approach people without love than one can approach bees without care. Such is the quality of bees...” Leo Tolstoy
Peace.

May 12,

Looking forward to a dinner at our favorite restaurant all day made me almost taste the entree I had in mind. We arrived at the popular restaurant and waited for a table to become available. Fortunately we found some seats. Then Bobby gave me this look of panic and asked me if I had my purse. I purposefully had left everything at home and shared with him my state. Without words I knew what this meant. He had left his wallet at home as well. He did have a small amount of cash in his pocket. This certainly changed the course of the evening. We found our state kind of funny and looked at it as an adventure. After all, when was the last time we were so exposed, vulnerable, and confined in our spending? Life has been comfortable. We know our budget and live comfortably within it. We had not felt this feeling of exposure since college. And that itself sounds rather pompous. It truly felt foreign to us. This was a self-imposed exile into a few hours of being money challenged.

Once we had chuckled about our temporary state, it made us think more intimately how too many people in our world live each day with a few coins or bills to get through a day or week with tough, hard choices to make on what can be served for a meal or where their next meal is even coming from. Even in this great city of Denver, too many people go hungry or food challenged on a regular basis.

We came up with a plan for us of choosing take out from Chipotle on our way home and watching a movie. Bobby carefully drove the speed limit. A lack of driver’s license tends to make one highly obedient. At Chipotle we carefully ordered so as not to exceed our amount of cash. We asked humbling questions like does guacamole come with that? Is salsa extra? It felt almost cleansing to be asking these questions and feeling this humble. We ended up at home for a lovely evening of take out, movie, and provocative conversation on how this all felt. We both agreed it made us feel, really feel how so many in our city and world live. We were extremely grateful for this experience. It made us acutely more sensitive to the demands on the poor in a way we had not experienced in some time. Chipotle never tasted so good.

Since I did not have my camera, this image is from a previous visit to this favored restaurant, Linger, an eatuary. Tomorrow I will post about another unexpected experience due to our quick departure from this restaurant.

"We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.” ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison

Peace.

May 9,

"It does not take many words to speak the truth.” ~Chief Joseph

The power of words cannot be overstated. A lack of words has its own power. With age I have learned the value of these statements. I am grateful for all the lessons I have learned that have helped me in this struggle over the years. There is an art to communication.

I observed this pair in our area recently. The one in the birdhouse stayed inside and would peek out to check for the other. The bird on the outside would return periodically with nesting material and more than likely bugs to share. I wonder what these birds are saying to each other. Most of the communication seemed to be from eye contact. The trust and loyalty is apparent.

Buckminster Fuller was a 20th century inventor and visionary who used his skills in various fields to solve global problems. His work continues to influence new generations of inventors, architects, scientists and artists working for a more sustainable planet. At the age of 32, he suffered a near breakdown. His first child had died. He was bankrupt with a wife and new-born baby. He was jobless and discredited. Pondering suicide on the shores of Lake Michigan, he had an epiphany that his life belonged not to himself but to the world. It was at this time that he decided to undertake an experiment to discover what a person in his place could do for humanity. He promised not to speak until his every thought and word would be of help to others. His silence lasted for two years but brought about a period of deep selfless creativity. Within a few years, he had a legacy of inventions and earned the epithet "the grandfather of the future.”
That was a powerful experiment in the power of communication.

"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."~Proverbs 31:26
Peace.

May 8,
Delight is that wonderful feeling we get when something good happens. When a baby is safely born, when an operation goes well, when a conflict is resolved, when something important is accomplished, when a friend or loved one shares wonderful news and when you are caught off guard by something lovely or good. Delight fills the heart with happiness. It brings us closer to others. It breaks down negative feelings of envy and conflict. It can break down the barriers that separate us from others when that delight is shared. For example the ‘Free Hugs’ movement is a stimulating example of being reminded that we really do share more similarities than differences.
Watch one of their You Tube videos and you will feel it as well.

In this image we happened to notice a doe and her fawn outside our kitchen window. Fortunately, by the time I had my camera in hand, I was delighted to witness and capture this loving gesture. This softness between mother and its young filled us with delight.

Joshua Bell, one of the most accomplished musicians in the world participated along with the Washington Post in an experiment to see if people could be distracted from their rush to work. Dressed in a t shirt, cap, jeans and tennis shoes with a scruffy beard he emerged from the subway and played for 43 minutes on a priceless Stradivarius violin. It took 6 minutes before anyone stopped, and all he collected was small change. Every time a child walked past though they were visibly drawn to the music, but then dragged away by their adult. The children showed their delight only to have it snuffed out by their adult. Sad but true.

We have a choice in what we feed our mind and body. What will you be delighted in today if you take the time to notice?

"When we are alone on a starlit night, when by chance we see the migrating birds in autumn descending on a grove of junipers to rest and eat; when we see children in a moment when they are really children, when we know love in our own hearts - at such times the awakening, the turning inside out of all values, the 'newness', the emptiness and the purity of vision that make themselves evident, all these provide a glimpse of the cosmic dance."~Thomas Merton
Peace.

May 7,

With the intention of photographing one of our colorful bluebirds in the area I set out to do what I could do. I arrived at my hiking spot only to find a sign that warned of a black bear with two cubs.
Grateful to be warned I headed in another direction and came across a bird sanctuary. A bluebird did fly by me and I marveled at its beauty. Such colors! Patiently I parked myself beneath a spruce tree and waited.

This little beauty was a willing poser. Checking in my guide book I think it is a horned lark, but I could be mistaken. I enjoyed seeing the yellow accents on the head and chest. I enjoyed just going with nature. There are guidelines one must abide by living so close to nature and the benefits of doing so are well worth it.

"Plants or animals rarely behave in an unnatural manner that’s contrary to their true makeup. Human beings are also natural beings, but at the same time, we’re conscious entities. We therefore have free will and must make the choice not merely to be part of nature, but also to follow faithfully the “laws of nature.”
― H.E. Davey
Peace.

May 6,

"Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is richness of self." ― May Sarton

Having time or making time for solitude is something I treasure. It is a way to refuel the soul. Sometimes a book is a great companion but there are times when it is good to go solo into the quiet.
Sometimes solitude means cleaning out a closet. Our lab and I have walks that qualify as solitude. Whatever qualifies as needed time alone is solitude.
Solitude recharges the brain, allows focus, and adds clarity to thought. It allows time for engagement in deep thoughts. It also provides time for one to discover things about themselves.

This image was captured when I was with a couple of photographer friends. Their presence added to the overall quality of the time spent on top of this mountain looking over at the Maroon Bells. We were quiet in our work and yet appreciated the comfort of the others' company. We were capturing the fading light of day when I spotted the sunlight on this stone. What a lovely place to sit and just be.

Remember the Calgon commercials many years ago? Calgon take me away! Or not quite so long ago George’s father on Seinfeld would shout Serenity Now! Solitude is essential to include in life.
Seek it, enjoy it and notice its benefits.

"Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Peace.

May 5,
"Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart." ~A. A. Milne
We enjoyed our first picnic of the season yesterday. Picnics for us mean simple and tasty food, lots of conversations, laughing, croquet, and 2 pink tongues and tails. There is a park near Sara and Chris that is the highest in Denver so we have lovely views with nice shade trees and plenty of open space to chuck a ball or play croquet. Picnics offer time to unwind on a lovely afternoon and commune with loved ones and nature.

Our lab is a fiend for chasing any type of a ball and she is learning that croquet balls are not for retrieving. Labs do not care about the texture of a ball; if it fits in their mouth and they can retrieve it, that’s enough. With our croquet game complete, we set up this picture. I think we’ll call it Game On!

"Be like a flower and turn your face to the sun."
- Kahlil Gibran
May is one of my favorite months of the year. May finds teachers and students drawing another school year to a close. Many graduate from high school and college this month and this itself adds an exciting newness to life. It is a month of seeing something new in the spring light of day whether it is a spring bird, flower or greening of the grass. May invites you to spend more time outdoors whether it is in your garden or perched in your favorite deck chair. May just seems to clear out the cobwebs of winter.

This image captures this essence of May. Sara was three with her Tenderheart Care Bear in normal position as she was drawn to the tropical flowers of Coronado. Curiosity drew her with out any words spoken. Fortunately I had a camera in hand. This is definitely one of my favorite images of her and it has been framed in a place of prominence. I relish her enthusiasm and curiosity with these flowers and the precious softness of her character with her beloved bear. My gratitude for this precious memory and memories yet to be made fill me with joy.

"What potent blood hath modest May."~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Peace.

May 1,

Have you ever tried your best at something yet had a nagging feeling that something was not right? This happened to me with this particular shot. I needed an evening Denver skyline for a particular event. I set up my tripod and camera and went with a wide angle lens. Those familiar with photography can guess the tool I left. As the light of day diminished the lights of the city and cars increased. I shot for an hour and as usual kept checking my monitor to look at my histogram and check for sharpness. I noticed a slightly soft look on the buildings but otherwise I liked the drag of the shutter which produced the stream of lights from the moving cars. When I uploaded them at home I was so disappointed with the blur on the buildings. The floodgates of negativity opened and disappointment raced through my brain as I looked at each image. I had depended on my time release setting on my camera to ensure a crisp image with such a slow shutter speed. That tool I had not included in my bag, my cable release would have resolved any blurring issue. All the images were disappointing at first glance. In this particular image I saw something I quite liked for some reason. Yes, the buildings had an impressionistic look to them with their softness, but the stream of light with the softness of the image pleased me. I had not captured anything like this in the past. Some photographers for a unique effect add a little camera movement as the shutter release is pressed to get this effect. I had done it by using my timer. I left this folder of images alone for a few months. Yesterday I perused them and discarded photo after photo when I took a second look at this image. I decided to keep it. I liked the effect. That was a good enough reason to use it.

Where is the gratitude in this? I am pleased that I had at least one shot from that hour of shooting. It may have been different from my expectations, but I have learned that relying on expectations is a sure way to be disappointed in life. A friend has a saying: expectations + reality = disappointment. Well I had disappointment alright, but I also at a second run through found one that was uniquely appealing to me. I was also reminded that my inner voice which helps me in life can also help me in my photography. I am grateful for this opportunity.

I have focused on the theme of contrast this month in this project. Contrast is not only important to a photographer but is essential to life. This theme has opened my eyes to subjects I might have otherwise missed, and it has provided a valid reason to capture what I enjoy, the unique in life. This colorful gem of a home is in Como, an unincorporated town in South Park with a population of 439. Legend has it that Como was named for a group of early day miners from Como, Italy. It served as a depot for the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad serving the silver mining areas during the Colorado Silver Boom. The post office is located in the Mountain Man Gallery. The two other businesses are a bed and breakfast and an antique store. Como is unique so we made a left turn on our way home and drove through to see what we could see. That is as good a reason as any to experience a place that otherwise might be bypassed at high speeds.

I was attracted to this home by its striking contrast of colors and unique details. Someone had a passion for the unique that is displayed here. Did you spot the green doorknob yet? The curtains add a quaint touch and make me think that someone still lives here despite the overgrown path to the front door. I wonder what this home has been a witness to in all its years. I would have enjoyed a conversation with the homeowner.

It is good to get off the beaten path and experience something memorable.

Leaving the known path turns out to be such a boon to my senses-such a remedy for my deadening habit of taking the safest, shortest route to wherever I am going.~ Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in the World

Peace.

April 29,

In the canvas of life, a flat landscape would be pretty boring. It is the valleys and the mountains that help us to appreciate the flatlands. It is the dark that makes us appreciate the light, and the cold that makes us appreciate the warm.~ Anne Copeland

It is a treat to drive through South Park at any time of year when the wind is behaving itself. To describe this area to unseen eyes one would have to first mention the wide open spaces and big sky. Then add to that the colors of the various grasses covering the rolling landscape with the cows and horses appearing as dots in the distance. Then finish with the rugged peaks of 14,000 ft mountains that surround this picturesque area. That would almost describe South Park. One can see for miles here. South Park is a contrast in nature. I do believe the farmers, ranchers, and artists who live here are hardy souls. I appreciate the beauty of South Park but living there would be a challenge.

This image was captured from the comforts of the front passenger seat and only shows a portion of this vast area. The mountains in the distance are near Breckenridge, Boreas Pass and in the distance Mt. Evans. This is rugged beauty and fortunately it can be enjoyed by fishermen, hikers, and people like us out for a drive. I am grateful for the beauty in nature that is at our fingertips or just around the next bend.

Peace.

April 28,

With an unexpected free Saturday in Colorado, Bobby and I hit the road for a hike along the Colorado Trail and a late lunch at our favorite drive in. We had some good windshield time which typically provides just the right touch for long conversations.

This image was taken at K's Old Fashioned Burgers at Buena Vista. This popular drive in was our ultimate destination. With views of the Sawatch and Collegiate Peaks a garden burger and a malt never tasted so good. One can enjoy their choice of food here in a beautiful park and gaze at the gorgeous backdrop of rugged peaks. This was food for the soul.

The contrast of scenery, a hike, tasty diner food, and good company made for a splendid day. There is something about gazing out at the scenery and enjoying the ride.

Peace.

April 24,

The sun shines on all and all alike, It's not surprising that we feel good when we immerse ourselves in nature. ~Jeffrey R. Anderson, The Nature of Things - Navigating Everyday Life with Grace

This is the time of year in Colorado where there is an abundance of choices for enjoying the great outdoors. The winter sports of the mountains are still an option but with that there are the rivers for fly fishing or kayaking, the trails or paths by foot or bike, the air by hang gliding. Those are probably just a few options that the more outdoor enthusiasts consider this time of year. It is fun to think of the options available this time of year for outdoor enjoyment. We joke that we could cover them all in a day. It is great fun to see the highways dotted with vehicles sporting skis, boards, bikes, kayaks and canoes. Once I had to take a second look when I spotted a convertible with a snowboard.

This is an image of City Park in downtown Denver. This is one of the many wonderful parks we have in our area. Picnics are a favorite pastime here in our lovely public spaces. It it sweet to see the contrast of seasons with the snow on Mt. Evans and the divide with the fresh grass, blooms, and leafing trees of the city. This expanse fills me with gratefulness for the promise that spring brings to the earth.

This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to control your own life. No one else can do it for you. Take the power to make your life happy. ~ Susan Polis Schutz

Peace.

April 23,

Thanks to some thoughtful friends who invited me to see the great horned owls in their neighborhood park last year, I knew exactly where to find this intriguing bird of prey this year. I believe this is a yearling. I looked around for its mate but did not spot it. This bird is camouflaged well. The contrast of his colors blends perfectly with the surroundings. I was fortunate to have found it for a couple of reasons. I knew where they were last year and I patiently looked in the tree until I spotted its silhouette. I will return to this park frequently in the next few weeks to capture images of the mates and their owlets.

The great horned owl is the most common owl of North and South America. The owls are monogamous and typically have two eggs. Both the male and female incubate and the male hunts for food. They are fiercely protective of their young. I am grateful for these magnificent birds in nature and the gift they give us through observation.

A wise old owl sat on an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke; The less he spoke the more he heard; Why aren't we like that wise old bird?~anonymous

Peace.

April 22,

Today would have been my mother’s 90th birthday. She was an incredible woman with a fun personality, gifted with musical talent, and a wonderful heart. She was a music teacher for many years and her programs drew the best out of her students. She could play the piano, sing, and give the ‘teacher eye’ to any off task student never missing a beat. During one Christmas program where the children had a flashlight and were in the shape of a Christmas tree singing songs, one child decided he wanted to find his parents and turned the flashlight on the audience searching the rows with the beam of light. When the beam came to Mother she gave him the ’teacher eye’ and he quickly had his light back in place. When she was in second grade her teacher announced to the class that they were having a fire drill and the children were to get out of the classroom as quickly as possible. Mother, sitting by the window, went for it and jumped to the ground below. Fortunately she had a first floor class. I’m not sure her teacher appreciated her quick reaction. We share these stories with Sara. Bobby could add a few of his own for he always thought of her as his second mother.

This is a scanned photo from 1983 that I took when Mother was visiting and helping me. She loved her grandchildren and always made time for them. Shortly after this image was taken Mother was diagnosed and lost her battle soon after. I am grateful I inherited her blend of mischief and loving kindness. I see many of her qualities in Sara and am blessed. I am grateful for this wonderful woman.

All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.~ Abraham Lincoln

Peace.

April 21,

Spring is in full swing here in Colorado with the arrival of my favorite summer bird, the hummingbird. With their return, winter is a distant memory. With a tip from a friend, I hung our feeder and within hours we had our noisy friends back. The noise that a hummie makes adds a smile to my day. They keep me company with their antics throughout spring and summer. It is great fun to observe these birds and be a witness to their dive bombing, nectar sampling, and fussing with other hummingbirds. Here in the foothills the broad-tailed and calliope hummies arrive first and the rowdier and rusty colored rufous hummies arrive in July. These amazing birds can hover in mid-air, fly backwards and fly at speeds up to 34 miles per hour. They are small yet so powerful.

This image was taken from our deck last summer. It is a treat with warmer temperatures to begin a day with coffee on the deck enjoying these summer friends. Gone are the thoughts of winter. The renewal of spring is magical.

The ruby-throated hummingbird is a wonder of migration. Every winter it makes an amazing journey. Some have been known to make a journey of 2500 miles or more, from Alaska to Central America. Because of it the hummingbird is a symbol for accomplishing that which seems impossible. It will teach you how to find the miracle of joyful living from your own life circumstances. ~ Pablo Neruda

Peace.

April 18,

It is Good Friday. As a young child I could not fully understand why this Friday was Good Friday since Christ was crucified on this day. A few Easters passed before I fully grasped this concept. It is a stark contrast indeed.

With loving hands and hearts and determination much can be done. Last night we fed close to 150 people at our Maundy Thursday Seder Meal. It was a Passover meal with each food symbolic of steps in the journey of the Jewish people. We closed with the Last Supper and communion. There was a group of young children who received their first communion. It was a beautiful and inspirational evening of rich faith, beautiful music and community.

I am grateful for the peace that my faith in Easter gives me. I appreciate noticing the positive or good in each day without drawing unnecessary attention to what is the negative.

Whoever you are, you are human. Wherever you are, you live in the world, which is just waiting for you to notice the holiness in it. ~Barbara Brown Taylor

Peace.

April 17,

Be a helpful friend, and you will become a green tree with always new fruit, always deeper journeys into love.~Rumi

Today is Maundy Thursday and it is the Christian feast, or holy day, falling on the Thursday before Easter. Christ wanted to eat the Passover meal, his Last Supper with his disciples. Christ added a new twist to the Passover meal, by introducing the act of communion and what it represented. It was a new concept for his disciples.

Tonight our church will have a Seder Meal, which is also known as the Passover meal to commemorate Maundy Thursday. It is a big undertaking but our congregation thinks big. We have a talented, energetic pastor and staff who serve, lead and inspire and the members are passionate about the business of doing God’s work. Our second year to do this, it began with planning, sign up sheets for members to donate specific food, and yesterday a small but mighty force met to slice, dice, peel, and set up the tables for this beautiful service. With loving hands and hearts we are well on our way for a meaningful service. I am so very grateful to have these beautiful people of Evergreen Lutheran who believe in serving others in my life and walk.

Tomorrow I will post on final preparations and the Maundy Thursday service.

I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.~ Albert Schweitzer

Peace.

April 16

A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.~ Chinese Proverb

How thrilling it is to see our spring and summer birds return to the fields, meadows and landscapes of our lives! The beauty they add to the remnants of winter’s drab colors makes one pause in their tracks and say a silent thank you. The birds of winter have graced us with their presence but there is nothing like the song of spring’s birds.

Mountain bluebirds are back in our foothills and it is a thrill to observe them. Their song adds beauty to the ear and heart. Spring’s tune of renewal is a wonderful gift.

Use what talent you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best.~Unknown

Peace.

April 15,

What would spring be without an image of snow and a bloom? I could not resist. The fragile bloom of the daffodil holds its own under the harsh conditions of spring. This past Sunday the foothills and mountain towns of Colorado experienced an impressive afternoon storm that made home the place to be. Monday began with beautiful bluebird blue skies and beautiful sunshine melting the abundance of snow and inviting people outdoors. Another sign that spring is gaining ground on winter's hold.

This daffodil held its own in the harshness of sleet, snow and freezing temperatures. Exhibiting beauty through adversity, this daffodil provides a wonderful example from nature that we are stronger than we think.

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to the body and soul. ~ John Muir

Peace.

April 14,

This is Holy Week for Christians and the Passover for the Jewish faith. For Christians it marks the triumphal entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem on a donkey. It all began well for Christ that week. Yet as the week unfolded praise changed to accusation, denial, betrayal, pain, tears and darkness and the light of resurrection.

This image reminds me of the stages of Christ's last week on earth. The light for the hope that Christ is to all if they so choose to believe, the shadows for betrayal, denial, pain and darkness, the bars for the callous nature of human beings, and the trees for the throngs of onlookers. I am grateful for my faith that fills me with peace and strength.

He takes men out of time and makes them feel eternity. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Peace.

April 11,

Like a butterfly evolving, we must love each stage we pass through. Be not judgmental of yourself. You are becoming a wondrous butterfly. ~ unknown

This Peleides Blue Morpho resides at our nearby Butterfly Pavilion. The pavilion is a wonderful place to see colorful and striking butterflies and moths in close proximity It is a treat to be an observer of such fragile beauty.

The contrast of this Morpho's design and color with its fragile body is striking. The beautiful designs in its wings provide protection. The beauty of this butterfly comes finally at the last stage of its short life. In comparison we too have to endure the fragile stages that make up life to arrive at a more peaceful place. Whether it is periods of darkness, pain, uncertainty, or conflict, equipped with strength in faith we are certain to arrive at a more beautiful stage. I am grateful for this.

Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

Peace.

April 10,

A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain. ~Wildnerness Act of 1964

I enjoy where the path leads when I am out with my camera. One more bend in the road or what is around the next bend leads me and time passes. I could walk along a river in early spring and not get tired of the raw beauty. I notice more signs of spring each day. The rivers are melting and carving a new path along the snowy banks. The contrast of spring’s arrival and winter’s departure is easy to notice along a river bank. This image was taken along a nearby creek. I enjoyed the draping of snow along the moving creek. This creek will change daily as the volumes of mountain snow begins its melting process. In a few weeks the snow will be gone and the height of the water will increase dramatically. Spring is showing its presence here in the foothills. But this weekend winter will have a say for snow is predicted. Oh the pull of nature!

The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms. ~Thích Nhất Hạnh

Lately a group of women and I have been enjoying a book by Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in the World. It is a study on noticing the presence of God in the world each day, and opportunities to make a connection. Walking has been a subtopic explored this week. Walking to notice and experience the life that surrounds us and seeing the beauty in it.

The need for exercise has always been a top priority for me. I feel better with exercise because it clears out the cobwebs of my mind and fills me with renewed energy and optimism. In my younger days exercise had to be added to a time slot that fit with work and family. Time was the driving force. These days I have been unraveling the time piece of exercise and enjoying the process of it. Being present in my outings and noticing the places around me and above me is a gift of peace. This contrast from time dominated exercise to mindfulness driven is still a work in progress. I appreciate and am grateful for the desire to be more present and notice my step.

In this image a dear lover of adventure friend and I were hiking Maroon Pass. The flowers were in full display and playing a silent symphony of wonder and beauty. The mountains were colored with fresh green grass and the sky, the bluest of blue with cotton candy clouds. We had time.Time to enjoy conversation, time to notice the arrangement of flowers and bumble bees sampling their sweetness, time to look all around us and enjoy the steps to our destination. It was not driven just by the destination but the journey as well. At the end of the day we were satiated and grateful. We were thrilled about the epic hike, but also the time we spent enjoying nature and each other.

I am grateful for this contrast of moving from getting through a task to a more enjoyable journey of the process.

Peace.

April 8,

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.~ Robert Frost

I enjoy capturing unique street photography when I seize the opportunity. This image is one of my favorites from a trip to Manhattan during the Christmas season. This pedicab driver caught my eye with his personalized holiday pedicab. His character is shown by the attention to detail and the way in which he drives his cab. I was drawn to this. He was offering his clients a ride they would not forget. Accordingly, I named this image Priceless Ride. When I was taking images of him I noticed through the view finder the sleek white limo that had moved into the frame. I loved this contrast of style and made some quick shots. The coldness of the limousine with its darkened windows and impersonal nature paled in comparison to the warmth of the pedicab. The energy of the peddling driver with his guests wrapped in warmth brings a smile every time I come across this image. The doll is our key that there is someone young at heart in the cab but I imagine there were more including the peddler himself. I am grateful for the time I had to notice, capture and enjoy this unique scene in a world class city.

Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You. ~Dr. Seuss

Peace.

April 7,

There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in. ~ Leonard Cohen, Selected Poems

Light makes a huge difference in life. For one it is essential to life and secondly it has a strong influence on mood. According to Norman E. Rosenthal, M.D., NIMH researcher and author of Transcendence: Healing And Transformation Through Transcendental Meditation, lighting can alter our brain chemistry leading to mood shifts. Some people are affected by this more than others and can suffer from season anxiety disorder. Here in Colorado we have a very high percentage of sunny to mostly sunny days. We can get a little whiny when we are deprived of our sunshine and blue skies after a couple days.

In this image from Canyonlands National Park, light provides the mood and offers tonal contrast. The tonal contrast is the area where the sunstar meets the darker areas. The contrast of light and dark combine for a unique image. I am grateful for the contrast that light offers.

How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world. ~ William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice

Peace.

April 4,

Texture is defined as the feel, appearance or consistency of a surface or substance. Have you ever thought about the texture of life? Think back on this week. What did it feel like? How does it look now in reflection? Of what experiences was it made? Life certainly holds a contrast of textures.

This image was captured during a photo shoot in Moab with another photographer and friend. We noticed the contrast of texture of this cactus plant against the sand, dryness and desolate beauty of Canyonlands National Park. The softness of the delicate flower and the sharp thorns share their place on a cactus plant and exemplify the contrast of beauty and pain. What would this plant be without this contrast? What would life be without a contrast of experiences? What would we be without our contrast of human emotions? Without contrast life would not be as rich and beautiful. It is through pain that we appreciate peace, darkness that we appreciate light, and through it all we have love to guide us. I appreciate and am eternally grateful for that.

If you wait for perfect conditions you will never get anything done.~fitbie

Here in Colorado we have avid or some may say extreme athletes who do not let weather get in the way of enjoyment of their sport. Gear is essential to living an active life here. Yesterday morning fog and chilly air arrived in the foothills in what is known as an upslope. The morning temperature was in the low 20’s and the light was flat due to the presence of fog. I gathered my equipment and loaded the jeep; even our girl wanted to be included. We drove over to our nearby mountain. I felt certain I could find a biker in this weather. I enjoy visual contrasts that surprise and emote a reaction. It is a kind of joke Bobby and I have when weather is bad- look for a biker.

To capture this image I was on an overlook and waited about 30 minutes for my shot. My fingers were numb. I must include myself in the extreme I suppose, but I could see the shot that I wanted and I was determined. These bikers were near the top of their 4.3 miles ride enduring a 5 to 6 percent grade and more than 1300 feet of elevation gain. They were enjoying a conversation and not letting the elements of nature get in the way of their pleasure. In the background the fog can be seen and the white on the pines is ice from the cold upslope.

I am grateful for the determination that lies within that keeps motivation at hand. Even in the mud and scum of things, something always, always sings.~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Peace.

20120507_0344

April 1,

This colorful flower is in my neighbor’s yard and we look for it each spring. It is the first wildflower I have spotted in our area and is a treat to see each spring.

I chose a theme to work from this month, contrast. April is a month of contrasts with the waning of winter’s hold on earth and the waxing of spring. As the dark of winter fades away it is stimulating to enjoy the light of spring. In photography the use of contrasting colors can make the difference between an average image and a stimulating image. In this image the contrasting colors of purple and yellow add a dynamic quality to the overall feel for the image.

Contrast adds depth to life. I am grateful for this beautiful and colorful sign of spring.

Our lives at times seem a study in contrast... love & hate, birth & death, right & wrong... everything seen in absolutes of black & white. Too often we are not aware that it is the shades of grey that add depth & meaning to the starkness of those extremes.~ Ansel Adams

Peace.

March 31,

I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.~ Groucho Marx

Since my childhood I have enjoyed books. Books take you places. Books add value to living. Some of my earliest memories of a book include being read to and also receiving them as a gift. I love the smell of an old book and I enjoy visiting book stores whether vintage or what is left of the modern book store. An afternoon in the Carnegie Public Library in my hometown was a treat. Walking down the isles of my favorite genres on those creaky wood floors is a treasured memory. I enjoyed the checkout process which included filling out the card and seeing who else had read the selected book. I always left with more than a couple books to enjoy. I also enjoyed the time in my school library perusing the books and selecting a required one and a pleasure one. Afternoons spent reading on my bed were a treat especially if it was too hot to play outside. Books provide opinions, knowledge, inspiration, insight, escape and enjoyment. Books take you places providing insight into other people and cultures. Books can be sheer entertainment and an escape.

Sharing the love of books with children is a gift. In this image Sara, at 18 months is experiencing the early relationship with a book using it as some quiet time and exploring the pages. Sara always found a lap to sit on for listening to a book in her early childhood. Grandpa's lap was the best lap in which to perch and enjoy the story being read by this favored voice.

What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn't happen much, though.~ J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

Peace.

March 28,

There is nothing more important than a good, safe, secure home. ~Rosalyn Carter

I am grateful to call home the best place in the world. Home is where one can just be. When love is the main fixture in the home it becomes a place of solace and a retreat from the busyness of the world. Home is also an idea when you are with the people that share the most of your heart no matter where you are together. I appreciate Rosalyn Carter’s quote and it brings to mind the wonderful project they implemented, Habitat for Humanity. For those people who travel often on the job, home is especially endearing; for those waiting for them to get home, home is complete when they arrive. I am grateful for this.

In our area we have birdhouses placed in our open spaces. These birdhouses are fun to notice. Some are shared between our summer bluebirds and our winter birds. To track the traffic of these home dwellers can add fun and interest to a hike or just from a chair on the deck.

Strength of character may be learned at work, but beauty of character is learned at home. ~Henry Drummond

Peace.

March 26

Happiness. The constitution only guarantees the right for American people to pursue happiness. You have to reach out and catch it.-Ben Franklin

Have you seen the Happy movie? It is a gift. I watched it on Netflix and admit to more than once. Have you thought about happiness in your life? This movie explores what makes people happy. Prof. Ed Diener, Ph.D. researched happiness. What he discovered was that our ability to be happy is based on 3 criteria. Think of a pie chart. 50% is genes. 10% is your circumstances such as income, job, health, money and such, and 40% is intentional activity- what you can choose to do. In this latter category actions that build dopamine in the brain have a direct impact on a person’s happiness level. They followed and tracked people all over the world from the slums of India, to the bayous of Louisiana, to the streets of America , and the sands of Namibia. The rickshaw driver from the slums of India was just as happy as the average American. Happiness is important in our lives. Research shows that people can do really well when things go really badly. An excellent example in the movie was Melissa Moody. She did not let a terrible accident and 30 plus surgeries keep her from finding her happiness in life. I am grateful for this gem of a movie and all the research and work that went into making it.

One aspect of happiness is adding variety to your day. This increases dopamine. In this image our girl was thrilled when we threw her water toy out in the deep snow for her to retrieve. This was a new thing for her.

Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. ― Dalai Lama XIV

Peace.

March 25,

Stop, breathe, look around and embrace the miracle of each day, the miracle of life.~Jeffrey A. White

I enjoy noticing the world around me when I am in a mindful state. I appreciate the things in life that make me pause, notice and pay attention to what is going on around me. Whether it is the sweet sound of belly laughs of a young child, the first signs of spring, or the sad person sitting by himself. It is important to be tuned into life so we can respond with a smile, an act of kindness or concern. Life is going on and it is fun and worthwhile to participate.

This image of Manhattan pigeons displays their unique panache. I typically do not find pigeons charming and make certain I am not in their way, but here I enjoy the uniqueness of their post. I enjoyed noticing this urban scene.

Frederick Buechner reminds us, If we are to love God, we must first stop, look, and listen for him in what is happening around us and inside us. By doing this we can add more beauty to the world.

Peace.

March 24,

You need to make time for your family no matter what happens in your life. ~Matthew Quick, The Silver Linings Playbook

I treasure time with my family. In our immediate family we are fortunate to live 20 minutes apart but this weekend we enjoyed a getaway together to one of our ski areas nearby. To have two nights and a day together, skiing, cooking, playing games, and catching up with each other was just a special gift to the heart and soul. It is a priceless luxury indeed.

When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.~ Paul Coelho, The Alchemist

Peace.

March 21,

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.~Nelson Mandela

It takes courage for so much in life. Courage to do what you know in your heart is right. Courage to try something new. Courage to bear the pain of life but see the beauty that outshines the pain. It takes courage to get out of your comfort zone in order to increase your expertise in your craft or job. In Mandela’s quote we are reminded that fear is just an idea,a concept without a physical presence.

We visited the American Cemetery in Normandy a few years back. It is impressive to visit and very emotional. You feel the spirit of courage in this place and along this coast. I was taken by this statue at the cemetery.

I am grateful for courage especially when it comes to doing the right thing.

It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare.~Mark Twain

Peace.

March 20,

It is spring again The earth is like a child that know poems by heart. ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

Our calendars today mark the first day of spring. Spring is a season of reawakening in our plant world, birth in our animal world, and the promise of warmer weather. In our markets, it is a time of spring vegetables grown locally or at least here in the US. Spring brings rejuvenation to the world. Hallelujah! After the adverse conditions many have experienced from winter, it hopefully will be a reprieve, a pause to catch a breath before the challenges of spring show their signs.

Where we live spring gives us beautiful moments of birth in our animal population. We have been fortunate to observe newly born elk and deer. I marvel at the care of the cow and doe for their calves and fawns. Once they give birth it is full mode into survival. The cow and doe clean their young and eat any evidence of birth to protect their young from the coyotes and mountain lions in our area. The young on wobbly legs nurse and gain their strength quickly and then mom and young are gone. It is truly an amazing event to observe. I am very grateful to be an observer to this wonder and in that I am grateful for the promise that spring brings.

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.~ Anne Bradstreet

Peace.

March 19,

When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.~ Tecumseh

I am grateful for mornings. I am a morning person and enjoy the beauty and serenity of the day before the world gets busy. It is quiet and the light in nature has a glow this time of day. It is an inspirational time of day for me and all the more so if I can take in the beauty of nature. My four-legged friend, camera and I set out this morning to drive to a spot to walk to avoid any morning traffic. It did not take long to notice the temperature, 20 and that is just too cold for me. So we drove to notice and capture some morning beauty instead.

This image shows our area’s view of two of our 14er’s. In Colorado we have 53 mountains over 14,000 ft. and it is a quest by many to climb as many as possible. It is a fun event with lasting memories to arrive at the summit of one these peaks and take in not only the scenery but what was accomplished in getting there.

When I first open my eyes upon the morning meadows and look out upon the beautiful world, I thank God I am alive. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Peace.

March 18

Grace meets us wherever we are, but does not leave us where it found us.~ Anne Lamotte

I am indebted to the gift of grace. Grace is in the top of my gratitude list. Being in awe of grace, I shied away from writing about it. Who am I to write about grace? I accepted the challenge today. I have learned about the gift of grace more eagerly in the past three decades. God freely gives each one of us grace if we so choose to accept it. The world can be beautiful and harsh. It is grace that adds beauty to living life. Grace is that action that happens that surprises us because we thought we were undeserving and expected something else. Grace is that quiet voice or feeling, within, the voice of God leading us to live out grace. Grace is the tender word or hand of someone reaching out to us. Read the lyrics to U2's song Grace.

Grace is a gift that can only be given; one cannot get grace or earn it. That is the beauty of it. Grace is not a reward for a job well done. Martin Luther stated, "Grace does not lie asleep in the soul. Grace hears, leads, drives, draws, changes, works all in man, and lets itself be distinctly felt and experienced. It is hidden, but its works are evident."

I visited Staten Island one day on my own while accompanying my husband on a business trip to Manhattan one month after Hurricane Sandy had torn up the east coast. I truly had no idea what was in store for me that day. Everyone in my path that day from the ferry workers, bus driver, and people on the street were so kind and helpful. They wanted to share their stories and I was an eager listener. One such person, the woman in this image touched my heart that day. When I boarded the bus to head back to the ferry, I noticed her and her bag. In this bag was everything she owned. She had lost her apartment and was currently living in a shelter. My heart was breaking as she was an example of carrying on in the face of disaster. I helped her that day but what she gave me in return was something I will never forget. It was getting late. Although she had to be back at the shelter by the time it closed so she would have her spot, she took the time to take me to the correct bus and train so I could get the last ferry back to Manhattan. That is grace.

By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are. ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Peace.

March 17,

Every person that you meet knows something you don't; learn from them. ~H. Jackson Brown Jr.

I hugged my sweet husband goodbye today and sent him off with a kiss. Filled with gratitude for a meaningful and enjoyable weekend, I set out for a walk and some photo ops. I found a vivid red barn with horses and even a mountain in the distance. Afterwards I uploaded these images and was disappointed. They did not do anything for me. These images did not relay a feeling or story. I appreciated the honesty despite the disappointment. I even appreciated the sting of humility.

So today I go to a a picture I have been looking at recently. This image was taken from our deck. We are fortunate where we live to view quite a few rainbows. I think they are remarkable and they cause me to pause and marvel. Rainbows are peace and a piece of beauty after a storm. In some ways they are still very magical to me just as they were in my childhood. I also feel humble when I view a rainbow. I feel so small in their grandeur and beauty.

I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day. ~Abraham Lincoln.

Peace.

March 14,

With just under a week away it is exciting to spot the first sign of spring. Spring is a promise of rebirth after the blanket of winter. Now with an additional hour of sunlight it feels like we really will have spring.

Today I looked for any sign of spring I could find. Here it is a little early for wildflowers to show themselves. Even the early spring wildflowers are weeks away. I found this sign of spring in our aspen tree. This is the first stage after the bud opens.

First day of spring, not soon enough for me, sweet scent of freshness, could make one's soul sing...............New birth, new life, welcoming signs these hints of spring. ~ Marty Ford, Hints of Spring

Peace.

March 13,

If you cannot find peace within yourself you will never find it anywhere else. ~ Marvin Gaye

When you see a beautiful scene do you ever wish that everyone in the world could see it and maybe just maybe we might live in a peaceful world? I do. Everyone deserves peace and beauty. My heart breaks for those families raising children in war torn areas. Growing up with angst instead of beauty has to damage a soul. My heart breaks for our soldiers in areas of strife. They need peace so they can act with wisdom and courage. My heart breaks for families dealing with issues where peace seems a million miles away. We all deserve peace and we can help sprinkle peace to others by our thoughts and actions. I am grateful for people who work for peace whether it is on a global scale or in a family.

When I captured this image a couple of years ago for another project, I was focused for the pond and the swans and then the deer arrived. There was a brief standoff between the dark swan and one buck, but they worked out a deal so all could enjoy the body of water. I see peace here in a community of animals. I see sharing of resources.

As I researched quotes on peace, I was amazed at the bounty of choices. Some who were quoted did not live out their lives in peace- Christ, Gandhi, Marvin Gaye, Martin Luther King, John Lennon to name a few. I am grateful they carried peace in their hearts and left us with beautiful words. I am grateful as well to live during Nelson Mandela's lifetime and see the difference he made through peace.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9

Peace.

March 12,

If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own back yard. Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with.~ L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

I woke this morning to beautiful sunlight beaming on fresh snow. This beautiful scene was in definite contrast to yesterday's snow fall with near white out conditions. Isn't it true that if you wait a day the weather will improve? It was with a feeling of contentment that I planted my feet on the floor and began my day. Contentment is a wonderful feeling. It is a feeling of satisfaction in what you have and who you are and knowing you have everything you need.

After enjoying coffee with Bobby and cleaning the kitchen I set out without expectations to capture some beauty in the morning. I was pleasantly surprised to see this lone turkey in our yard who let me click my shutter as often as I wanted. Usually these birds are extremely skittish.

Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.~ Mark Twain

Imagine what the world would be like if our main motive was sincere kindness in our words and deeds without expecting anything in return. What would that look like and feel like? It sounds beautiful. Sincere kindness is often easy and costs little or nothing except for time.

This image was possible due to the kindness of a friend. This sweet and thoughtful girlfriend went out of her way and stopped what she was doing so I could get this image. We had passed it the night before and she had offered to stop and turn around even though this would make her late for the event she was a key participant in. I declined. The next morning, I asked her where this car was so I could drive there. She stopped the breakfast preparations and insisted on taking me there. This act of kindness was huge to me. It provided a unique image for me but most of all I was the grateful recipient of pure kindness.

Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world. ~Desmond Tutu

Peace.

March 10,

Thanks to the gracious hospitality of friends we saw Colorado's epic mountain snow for the first time this late winter. Snow to us means water to drink, moisture for a more fire resistant season and in the mountains snow levels like this give the mountain pine beetle a rougher go at damaging the beautiful lodge pole and ponderosa pines.

This image is downtown Breckenridge and we enjoyed an evening of art and friendship in this beautiful setting. Breckenridge to date has 353 inches of snow for the season.

I am so grateful for this beautiful moisture that will fill our reservoirs, lakes and provide for our summer wildflowers. It would be a real blessing if the mountain areas did not experience wildfires this summer.

Peace.

March 7,

Have you noticed older couples whom you admire and see as an example for living and loving? Some of us are fortunate to have parents still setting that example for us. It is touching for it is a blessing in itself to be able to reach the later years together. In our family we are grateful for my husband's parents as a shining example.

But there is another example I touch on here. I have been yearning to capture this image for months so I did not resist using my phone in a pinch. Every week it is a treat to see Jean and Ben. Sundays, if feeling well, they can be found in the second row of our sanctuary. Thursday mornings he drives her to our church for our group and waits for her in the library until our last conversation is complete. Jean is such a dynamic and important member of our group and her insight is valued by each one of us. They then make their way to go home. I marvel at their strength, courage, and commitment. They are a beautiful example of love. I am so grateful to know and love this precious couple. They bless us all at Evergreen Lutheran Church.

Peace.

March 6,

I enjoy a walk or hike where I can hear and see life in nature with all the interesting colors, light, and sounds. This is an activity that is just as great solo as it is with a companion. With another person the conversation flows and it is a rich experience of connection and alone, with just the sounds of nature, my senses are heightened.

In this image Bobby and I were hiking in the Ohio Pass area on a autumn day. I heard a stream and we stopped and noticed this small leaf-covered island in the middle of the water. I was taken with the collection that had grounded itself on the island in the small stream. It filled us with peace then. It is an image I go to for serenity. It almost has a meditative quality. I am grateful for the times I notice the beauty in nature.

Looking for beauty in the world, is the first step of purifying the mind.~ Amit Ray